Cajuns Shrug Off Slow Start to Defeat New Orleans in Overtime

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns defeated the New Orleans Privateers on Wednesday night at Lake Front Arena in overtime 77-73.

This game didn't start off the way the Cajuns would have liked as they quickly found themselves down 6-0 and weren't able to find their first bucket until about four minutes into the game. They were finally able to tie the game at nine with 13 minutes to go in the first half.

Turnovers were a big factor early on in this game as we were ten minutes in and Louisiana had already turned it over six times.

As the first half came to a close, despite the turnover woes (14 in the first half) the Cajuns were able to cut the New Orleans lead down to 29-26. The defense was to thank for that as they held the Privateers scoreless for the final 4:12 of the half. Jakeenan Gant had struggled thus far with only two points but Malik Marquetti, Trajan Wesley, and P.J. Hardy picked up the scoring slack pouring in a combined 17 points.

With the second half underway, it seemed like momentum was suspended in mid-air just waiting for one of these two teams to grab hold of it. It wasn't until 8:47 remaining in the second half that the Cajuns secured their first lead of the ballgame at 45-44 thanks to an athletic layup by P.J. Hardy.

As we came down the stretch of this game it was back and forth until Justin Miller hit a hook shot to put UL up 59-57 with 26 seconds remaining in the second half. Unfortunately, Gerrale Gates for New Orleans hit a 14-foot jump shot and the game was tied at 59. With the final possession, Marcus Stroman couldn't get the jumper to fall and we went to overtime.

In overtime it was all Louisiana as they outscored the Privateers 18-14 and they come away with a 77-73 win in overtime. The turnovers which were a factor in the first half were a non-factor in the second half and overtime as they only committed 5 after halftime.

No one stood out scoring-wise, it was a very balanced attack as Jakeenan Gant, and Malik Marquetti each poured in 12 points. P.J. Hardy also added 10 points, six rebounds, and played some stout defense in this one.

With the win, the Cajuns improve to 4-3 on the season and they'll return home to face the 1-6 Southern Jaguars Saturday, December 1st at 7 p.m.

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